Missing UCF student found dead

Alexander Osorio, who has been reported missing since Feb. 7 by the Hollywood Police Department, has been found dead, said his mother, Maricel Osorio.

Osorio, 19, died unexpectedly two days before his Feb. 9 birthday, according to his online obituary.

"At the age of 4, Alexander moved with his family to South Florida settling in Hollywood," the obituary stated. "He graduated from South Broward High School where he was on the swim team. He earned his life guard certificate and worked for one year at the Hollywood YMCA. At the time of his death, he was a student at University of Central Florida majoring in mechanical engineering."

Osorio's mother, Maricel Osorio, created a GoFundMe to help raise money to donate to a charity from the family's choosing in Alexander's name.

The viewing and funeral services for Osorio was held Feb. 15 at Fred Hunter's Hollywood Memorial Home at 6301 Taft St., Hollywood, Florida, according to the GoFundMe.

Currently, $540 has been raised with the goal of reaching $3,000 in donations.

Carl Bernardo, a longtime friend, said that Osorio seemed in good spirits the last time they met.

"The thing about it is that Alex stopped by over where I lived at UF and that was the first time I had seen him in almost 10 years," Bernardo said. He stated that this was approximately a week ago when Alex showed up at his residence.

"When he showed up at my door about a week ago, he hugged me and seemed really happy," Bernardo said.

"In elementary school he was one of the smartest people I knew. I looked up to him … he helped me with math problems. We we’re pretty close all throughout elementary school. Alex was just a really great person," Bernardo said.

The Central Florida Future has reached out to the Hollywood Police Department and Osorio's family for more details.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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Veronica Brezina is a Digital Producer for the Central Florida Future. Email her at veronicab@centralfloridafuture.com